In this research, synthesis, characterization and evaluation of in vitro biocompatibility of a nanocomposite as an artificial cornea have been carried out.

A scaffold with transparent center from poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel, which is surrounded by modified bacterial cellulose (BC) – porous poly vinyl alcohol - nano hydroxy apatite (nHA) composite, was designed. In situ synthesis of nHA in PVA matrix was carried out via biomimetic method. The whole scaffold was made by casting, freezing and thawing cycles. Composite was characterized by FT-IR, XRD and SEM. Biocompatibility of composite was studied by cultivating retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells on the composite. Water content of hydrogels was also tested.

Results from FT-IR and XRD showed the formation of nHA in PVA matrix due to presence of active sites on polymers for Ca2+ coordination followed by phosphate bonding and initiating the nHA nucleation. SEM images represented that overall morphology for nHA was regular distribution of spherical nano particles. Inverted microscopy revealed significant growth of RPE cells on the composite, indicating the in vitro biocompatibility of the scaffold. Water content of PVA/BC/nHA hydrogel composites was about 82–84% that was close to human natural cornea (78%).

Considering similar properties of the composite components to normal corneal structure and the results of characterization, in vitro biocompatibility and water content test, it is expected that the designed composite can be suitable for using as an artificial cornea.